on the third day i said i’m sorry.

the great thing about Easter is that it reminds me I’m not Jesus.

Step 9: Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

The amending went about as well as could be expected. Of course, some of the various tired faces said to me, “Sure thing Paul, but remember, we’ve been down this road before, so forgive us if our forgiveness is a little less than enthusiastic.

Which is more than fine with me. Anything short of a punch to the face I deem a success.

The key to this step for me is understanding that, whatever the reaction, it’s how it needed to be. If someone’s still pissed, accept it. I’m pretty sure that if the shoe was on the other foot, I’d have a hard time mustering mercy. Even though there is sorrow, followed by a sincere apology, there still remains a bit of something in the air.

Tentativeness is the word I’m looking for. I can’t promise that it will never happen again, and they can’t promise that if it does they will once again forgive.

Considering my track record, that’s more than fair.